Posttraumatic Growth in Parents Following Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review of Related Factors

This systematic review synthesizes quantitative evidence on factors associated with posttraumatic growth (PTG) in parents following preterm birth. Systematic searches of MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses identified peer-reviewed and grey literature published up to August 2025. Studies were included if they involved parents of preterm infants, administered a validated PTG measure at any time after birth, and examined factors related to PTG. Thirteen studies (N = 2,568 parents) met inclusion criteria, with study quality rated as good (n = 2) or fair (n = 11). Across studies, 38 factors were examined. PTG was positively associated with social support, longer neonatal admission, parental well-being, lower gestational age, posttraumatic stress symptoms, resilience, adaptive coping strategies, and deliberate rumination, although some associations were inconsistent or examined in only one study. Overall, findings suggest a complex interplay of demographic, psychological, social, and event-related factors influencing PTG in this population, but methodological heterogeneity limits comparability and the strength of conclusions. Future research should prioritize consistent assessment of key factors and employ longitudinal and intervention designs to inform the development of integrated models of care that address both psychological distress and PTG in parents of preterm infants.